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Good morning, Broncos Country!
Paxton Lynch finally gets his shot.
Bill Musgrave leads the Denver Broncos offense against his former team that just so happens to also have a new defensive coordinator.
It’s just your typical build up to the Broncos and Oakland Raiders. How this game will get remembered? We will soon find out. The potential is there for this to be a fun and historic affair in Oakland. Or it could be dreadful and historic (Denver is looking to avoid its first seven-game losing streak since 1967).
Adam Malnati and I previewed today’s game on the latest MHR Radio Podcast. The MHR Radio Podcast is now on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. Please subscribe to the one that fits your fancy, and also rate and review what you hear.
@AdamMalnati16 & I are thankful the #Broncos finally came to their senses & will start @PaxtonLynch. We breakdown the changes & preview #RaidersWeek. Before you gorge on turkey & the games start, give a listen to the @MileHighReport Radio Podcast. https://t.co/pY2WLfMLg2
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) November 23, 2017
Before the two rivals smash helmets, let’s take a look back at the history of the rivalry. Notes are courtesy of Denver’s weekly release.
- Today marks the 115th regular-season game between the Broncos and Raiders. Denver owns a 51-61-2 all-time record vs Oakland; a 26-29-2 mark in Denver and 25-32 record on the road. The first game in the rivalry was on Oct. 2, 1960, in Denver, a 31-14 Broncos win.
- The last Broncos home win over the Raiders was also the last win this season when they beat Oakland 16-10. The last home loss was on Dec. 13, 2015, a 15-12 Oakland win (when Mack got five sacks). My cousin and I were at that game.
- The last Broncos road win was on Oct. 11, 2015, a 16-10 victory. The last road loss to the Raiders was on Nov. 6, 2016, a 30-20 Oakland win. Interesting note: Denver hasn't won a road game in the AFC West since Peyton Manning retired.
- The longest winning streak for the Broncos over the Raiders is eight games, from Nov. 6, 2011-Dec. 13, 2015. The longest winning streak for the Raiders over the Broncos is 14 games, from Nov. 21, 1965-Dec. 19, 1971.
Sunday marks the 115th regular-season game between the #Broncos & #Raiders. Denver owns a 51-61-2 all-time record vs Oakland; a 25-29-2 mark in Denver & 25-32 record on the road. The first game in the rivalry was on Oct. 2, 1960, in Denver, a 31-14 Broncos win. pic.twitter.com/1elviK58Uy
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) November 25, 2017
- The Broncos have netted two shutouts in this series. The last one was on Oct. 16, 1995 in Denver, a 27-0 win over the Raiders. The Raiders also have netted two shutouts in this series. The last one was Nov. 22, 1992 in LA, a 24-0 win over the Broncos.
- The largest win for the Broncos over the Raiders is 37 points, a 44-7 victory on Oct. 5, 1962 in Denver at then-Bears Stadium. The largest win for the Raiders vs the Broncos is 51, a 51-0 Oakland shutout on Sept. 10, 1967 in Oakland.
- The most points the Broncos have scored in the series vs the Raiders is 47. It happened on Dec. 28, 2014 in Denver, a 47-14 win. The most points the Raiders have scored in the series vs the Broncos is 59. That happened on Oct. 24, 2010 in Denver, the 59-14 game. That was the beginning of the end for the guy we don’t name here.
- The most combined points for the Broncos and Raiders is 74, a 38-36 Denver win on Sept. 7, 1986 in Oakland. Again, this is for the regular season. The fewest combined points for the Broncos and Raiders is 12, a 9-3 Oakland win on Dec. 1, 1980 in Oakland. Again, this is for the regular season.
- The Broncos and Raiders have only met twice in the playoffs. The magical 20-17 Denver win on Jan. 1, 1978, at Mile High in the AFC title game. Knowing the history of the franchise and how much Denver struggled against the Raiders, that game is why this rivalry means so much.
- The other postseason game was a 42-24 Raiders win over the Broncos on Jan. 9, 1994, in LA in the AFC Wild Card game. As Peter King noted in his story from the game, there were five on-field fights in that game. As Dennis Smith said, "We hate each other's guts, and it was kind of crazy out there."
- Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is one catch away from becoming the sixth active player to reach 600 career receptions.
- Outside linebacker Von Miller has totaled the most sacks (81.5) in the NFL since entering the league in 2011 and his 0.83 sacks per game are the third most in history since 1982.
Broncos Tracks
Three Keys to Broncos-Raiders
Paxton Lynch will make his first start of the 2017 season, and with Bill Musgrave calling the plays, look for something different from Denver's offense.
Mason's Mailbag: Paxton Lynch will be put in position to maximize talent
Head Coach Vance Joseph said he doesn't want Lynch to "just hold the ball and kind of sit there," which could create some opportunities Sunday.
9 Keys to Broncos snapping 6-game skid and beating Oakland | 9news.com
Regardless of whether Lynch is ready, Broncos head coach Vance Joseph has the right to try somebody else.
Broncos want Paxton Lynch to run his way out of trouble against Raiders
Oakland hopes keep to Paxton Lynch in the pocket, but Vance Joseph has other plans for his QB: If it's not there, just take off and run.
Broncos defense continues to struggle creating turnovers - Denver7 TheDenverChannel.com
The Broncos defense remains haunted by the inability to create turnovers this season.
Broncos-Raiders: Were firings desperate or smart?
The AFC West rivals each made big moves this week, but will they pay off?
Key Matchups To Watch: Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos
Here are three matchups to watch this Sunday when the Raiders host the Denver Broncos at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Offensive Coordinator Todd Downing Previews Matchup With Denver Broncos
Offensive Coordinator Todd Downing addressed the media Thursday afternoon.
Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos preview, November 26 | The Sacramento Bee
Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos game preview, Sunday, November 26, 2017: Three things to watch, injury report and TV and radio broadcast information.
Marshawn Lynch could see more snaps for Raiders - NFL.com
The Oakland Raiders are looking to get back on track, and Beast Mode might provide the answer. Coach Jack Del Rio says the team wants to push the running back and get him more opportunities.
NFL Tracks
NFL picks against the spread 2017, Week 12: Bet on the Saints and few select underdogs - SBNation.com
Place your bets!
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